The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
MINOR MENTION,

THE Congregational Club. of Boston, celebrated
Pilgrims day with banquet as usual, at which
time there was good cheer and good speaking
galore. Among the speakers mark Twain"
who, after some very droll remarks by way of
introduction, proceeded to unfold a scheme
which, if utilized. would make every such man
much sought after on all festive we'll as sad
occasions. He styled it his patent universal
climate proof, automatically adj Unstable orator."
which could be used at a granger gathering a
wedding breakfast, the funeral of a friend.
The humorist then, amid frequent laughter, IL
Illustrated how his patent speech might be ad-
justed to almost any occasion To the grangers
he would say:
81 called up suddenly, sirs. and am indeed
not prepared to 70 was not expecting to
may, add my shout to the publications of this
spiritstirring occasion. Agriculture, sirs is,
after all. the palladium of our economic liberties;
py lt-approxlmately speaklng-we may be said
to live, and move and have our being. The
least of us knows. The least of us feels
The humbest among US will confess that;
will lot detain you"
Mr. Clemens then repeated the address at
wedding breakfast and at private funeral,
surprising his audience by the elasticity and
universal applicability of his patent speech. In
the hands, mouth, of a humorist this idea
could be made to appear very funny, but it is
not original with Mr.. Clemens. It was very
cleverly presented in a story entitled. MY
Double, and How He Undid me-" published
some twenty five years ago or more. 1t would
take too long to tell how popular speaker es-
tablshed great reputation on single speech
which was made to serve on all occasions, and
how he was finally ''undone" by who re-
sembled him and appropriated his pet speech.
The story is very ingenious. exceedingly funny.
and founded the idea of Mark Twain's pat
emit adj ustable speech. Did Mark borrow the
ideal 1t seems to be sort of patent adjustable
one
THERE are indications that the real estate boom
which has been so vigorously worked in Wash
ington during the last few years has collapsed.
The speculative fever has run very high there,
especially in unimproved and suburban prop
erty Enough town lots have been laid out to
house 1900 600 people. Prices have been forced
up out of all reason. and building has been over
done Now there is a steady shrinkaee in prices
and the number of houses for rent is estimated
at 5000. This means q decline of the specu-
lative fever Washington is q very beautiful
and attractive residence city, and will continue
to attract persons of wealth and leisure from all
mercal city. and has elements of growth be-
yond those pertaining to it social and polt-
ical center. These will never make great city.
Fancy prices may continue to be paid for fancy
property in Washington. but the real estate
boom in suburban and unimproved property
seeme to have collapsed.
An incident that happened in St Louis last
Sunday progressed just far enough to be anus
ing and TO suggest a narrow escape from embar-
RAISING results The Rev. DR.. j. B. Thomas
OF Brooklyn, \. Y, had been invited to preach o
in the Second Baptist Church of St Louis. At
the hotel Sunday morning he asked the way to
the church. and was misdirected to the Second
Presby terrain Church. Reaching the church
rather early he entered the study by a rear door
and proceeded 30 make himself at home, picking
out his favorits hymns, running over a chapter
in the Bible, etc Meanwhile the congregations
in both churches were assembling, and people at
the Second Baptist were wondering what had
become of DR.. Thomas. About the time he had